The Treacherous Dead: A gripping historical mystery (Dr Margaret Demeray Book 3) by Paula Harmon

Author:Paula Harmon [Harmon, Paula]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: dp books
Published: 2025-04-03T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Three

They left soon after eleven, the car roof raised. ‘Something’s troubling the Selkirks,’ said Fox.

‘I think they had an argument.’

‘I agree.’

‘Lady Selkirk really didn’t want us to leave. Did you find out anything more from Sir Broderick when you played billiards?’

‘He said that some stones are best left unturned. When I mentioned Mallowan again, he turned puce and said that no reasonable, educated Irishman would prefer the control of Rome.’

‘And Webber?’

‘He resigned his commission under a cloud of incompetence and disappeared into obscurity. Sir Broderick gave no indication of knowing about Gastrell’s illegitimate son, but I could only hint. I asked about memorial services and he said Gastrell’s was repugnant, but as he had apparently died blameless, Sir Broderick didn’t feel he could disappoint the man’s mother.’

‘Lady Selkirk said much the same.’

Around them scattered houses slept in darkness, while a cluster of streetlights showed where the village was. Margaret fixed her gaze on the distant glow of London, longing to be secure in its insomniac streets. She didn’t ask if anyone was following; Fox’s tension made it unnecessary.

Thirty minutes after leaving, the car made a peculiar noise and they halted between two high hedges.

‘I need to look under her bonnet,’ said Bert, ‘only not here. You two should go on. Archers Steading’s ten miles back. The nearest station’s less than three miles ahead but I don’t know if the car will get there.’

‘The people following are swapping again, aren’t they?’ said Fox.

‘Yeah. They’ll catch up soon and I expect they’ll be driving without lights when they do. I had a feeling this would happen. That’s why I put the roof up, so they wouldn’t know if you’d got out. Best go now. Hide behind the hedge till the next car passes, then walk along the edge of the field. I’ll try to get the car somewhere I can hide it. If they catch up with me, they’ll assume you’re still inside. If necessary, I’ll get out and leg it too. If they corner me, I’m equipped.’

‘There must be somewhere we can leave Margaret,’ said Fox.

‘I’m not a package!’

‘I’m not having your blood on my hands, Mrs Fox,’ said Bert. ‘They’re not far behind. Look.’

The tiniest speck of light could just be made out through the hedges, moving towards them.

‘Very well,’ said Fox. ‘Get somewhere safe, Bert.’

‘I’ll meet you at the station if I can. If not – you know what to do.’

Fox and Margaret were barely out of the car when Bert drove off. ‘Quick,’ said Fox, pulling her behind a tree. A car passed slowly by.

They were about to step out again when a second car, driving without lights, pulled up and stopped. The driver shone a flashlight around the verges, then drove on.

‘Instead of the field, we could take the lane back there,’ whispered Fox. ‘It’ll take us to a parallel road that leads to the station.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘We looked at the map earlier just in case. I’m not convinced we’ve fooled them.’

‘And Bert?’

‘Bert can take care of himself.

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